NA Lady Bulldogs

The New Albany Lady Bulldogs basketball team has made our community proud, winning the state championship in Class 4A Friday night in Jackson.

The veteran team with four senior starters and Jazmine Spears, named most valuable player in the championship game, brought home the first state championship in the sport since 2002. In addition to the New Albany girls, the New Albany boys and Myrtle boys teams deserve kudos for reaching the state semi-finals. The Lady Bulldogs finished the season without a loss to a Mississippi team. New Albany lost four games, all to national-level competitors from Texas, Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama. Winning the state title is a tribute not only to the hard work of the team, but also to the quality coaching of head coach John Stroud and assistant Alicia Pickens. Stroud takes time away from his job as owner of a local insurance agency to coach the girls’ team. He’s not a newcomer to state championships; he coached the New Albany boys’ team to the title 25 years ago. Congratulations to our area teams and their fine showing in the state tournament.